What Would a Classic Game Console Cost in Today’s Money?

There's always been complaints about the cost of modern gaming systems. A Playstation 4 will empty your wallet at just over $300. The Playstation 4 Pro is $400 plus. XBox One and XBox One X are about the same.

But it's a complaint that's been around for as long as home gaming has been popular.

thechive.com put this to the test and released a list of what classic gaming consoles would cost if they were released in 2017. Some will surely surprise you.

One of the most popular gaming systems ever is the Atari 2600. I had hours of fun playing Pit Fall, Asteroids, Laser Command and more. It was released in 1977 for $199.99. If released in 2017, $843.17.

I have never played this system. But it had a collection of games similar to Atari. It was released in 1982 for $174.99. In 2017, $458.02.

3. Nintendo Entertainment System

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This, to me, is still my favorite game system. And I still have my Nintendo from when I was a kid. And I still play it. So many great games, so many great memories. It was released in 1983 for $199.99. If released in 2017, $504.72.

This was the direct competitor to Nintendo. I only played a couple of games on the system, Space Harrier and Double Dragon, and it was fun but not my favorite. It was released in 1985 for $199.99. In 2017, it would cost $467.88.

I never owned a Super Nintendo but had friends who did. I still have yet to get my hands on the Super Nintendo Classic Mini and really want to so I can play some of the games I missed out on. It was released in 1990 for $199.99. If released in 2017, $387.45.

I went from Nintendo to the Sega Genesis. And I still had mine until about 10 years ago when I sold it. I surely regret that now. I had so many great games, After Burner, Earthworm Jim, NBA Jam, it was about 25 in all. It was released before the Super Nintendo in 1988 for $189.99. If brand new in 2017, $405.30.

This was Atari's last attempt at a gaming console, and it didn't work out to well for them. It did have promise but they couldn't get the hardware right and the games were not good. It released in 1993 for $249.99. Today, it would run you $432.69.

I graduated from the Sega Genesis to the Sony Playstation. I've been a Playstation guy ever since. Final Fantasy VII, Grand Turismo and Tomb Raider are just a sample of my favorite games. It was released in 1994 for $299.99. If released in 2017, it would be more than the Playstation 4 Pro, $506.45.

And last on the list is the Nintendo 64. There are rumors that this could be the next Classic Mini console from Nintendo. I don't see the point, though. This also competed with the Sony Playstation. But, instead of using disks, Nintendo still went with cartridges for it's games. It was released in 1996 for $199.99. If released today, $319.70.

Check out the other consoles thechive.com had on their list. I guess, when looking at inflation, the price of a modern console hasn't really changed that much.